The Age of Sorrowful Splendor

The moon wanes, the clouds fade, the songs linger and the dancers disperse, while the clear chime of bells fills the air. Carved saddles and jade reins gleam beneath lovely blossoms; no one notices the chill in the wind, warmed by their laughter. Golden armor flashes coldly, and the night at Weiyang Palace falls into chaos. Chang'an can no longer see the distant Dragon City. Lang Xie gazes at the far-off stars, thinking of Jiuquan, and vows to shoot the Heavenly Wolf, pointing toward Helan. In the capital of Jianlong, every night is filled with music and revelry. Yet behind its apparent splendor lurks a vast whirlpool. Turmoil from the previous dynasty rises once more. Why would she abandon her carefree, comfortable life and return to this lonely, chaotic world, only to become the subject of idle gossip? A mistaken ride in the bridal sedan had already made her accept her fate, but his appearance brought a glimmer of light to the night ahead. Noble scions or wandering swordsmen, respectable young ladies or remnants of a fallen kingdom: with a plain-clad scholar's robes and delicate hands, she can turn the splendid realm with a flick of her fingers, laughing at all the flavors of life.